The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-05
PREsIDBNr ARFIELD AND fRO-
TRCrION.

TkChtOh.
In the May number Of the North
AReriSan Repiew there Is n paper by
Edmond Kirk entitled "My Public
Life, BY President Garfield" which
closes with paragraph on the tariff,
In which the views Of the dead states
man on that vexed and vexing ques-
ton are stated thus briefly: "In
1885," he says, ~ made a speech,
which you will find in the Record, and
from which l quote In some OF my
other speeches, taking the position
that was in favor o! that sort Of pro-
lection that would ultimately lead to
libersting, one by one, the articles OF
free trade; that Was opposed TO pro-
bibitory protection, but was in favor
OF .arif high enough for our people
fairly to compete and keep the
national industries alive, put not 30
high as to enable the manufacturers to
combine and monopoliza prices and
have no competition from abroad.
On that doctrine launched my
self" But 1t was not satisfactory.
He was denounced by the ex-
treme protectionists as free trader
and by tho free traders as sort OF pro.
tectionist." Garfsld's is what might
be termed middle ground for Repub-
licsn. and Is fairly stated. Without
explanation 1t is.dangerous ground.
Rven me loSsest construction Of the
Federal Constitution does not warrant
protection. 1t 10 repuguant to the
great purpose OF our form Of govern
ment, which 10 that oil men shall be
free and equal under and by the law
aud before It. No man, or company
OF men. Is to have an advantage that
all, that Ia, every one, cannot share in.
To protect an iron man Is TO discrimi-
nate In favor OF the iron man and levy
toll fer that protection upon all men
who use iron. II Ia to build up the
iron man out OF the public funds and
make him an exceptional man by ia
grant wrong and outrage upon all 9TH
or men. 1t is to create a class resting
for support upoa the people, upon
their labor and by q tax levied upon
them, Just ~ In Great Britain the
greater CLASSES exist by exceptional
legislation and by protection, for which
oil classes below in descending straits
have 10 pay. The Federal Govern
ment has no right to protect any mar
or class under any pretense. Its duty
10 not discrimination, but even-handeC
Justice. How so clear.headed states
man 90 Garfield was could have beer
warped from the plainest powers Of
the Constitution Is only to be &C.
counted for by his New England
training and bias. But his little
leaning to free trade proves that tn,
leven OF Justice was working within
him. He saw that the protection o
the war tariff enabled manufacturer
to combine aud monopoliEe prices" g
as to prevent Competition fror
' abroad" Not only that, but that thi
.. prohibitory tariff was continued lon
after the iron men and the cotto
anufacturers confessed their abilit
tho latter actually taking steps
= that end-to compete with the manr
iacturers OF Great Britain, not only |
e South America, but In the Britis
= colonies and in Eogland itself Hsd M
Garfield been q Democrat and state
. his views from the standpoint OF irt
. trade, he would have said that 6
long as revenue Ia necessary for til
= support OF the Federal Governmel
and the people are opposed to dire
. taxation, free trade Is impossible; bV
10 following the lines OF the Constitute
we oaR approximate 1t and reaC
|" nearer aud nearer to it as the expens
y !. Of government are decreasedi tn
- Congress ought not to and cannot co
y sistently approach the consideration
u atarIa levy from any other than
70 revenue basis, and that II in legislatil
70 In that spirit and. from that standpol
protection comes to any interest 1t
purely incidental; that to avoid ev
Ne the appearance Of evil the tar
" should bs levied from the Democrat
10 Republican basis Of the greatest go
40 Of the greatest number; that prot,
o. ton as plain and practical dishone'
no IL not to be considered at all and II
10 the rights and necessities Of the wh'
no mass Of the people are to be ke
ns steadily In view and not the profits
US individuals or Of corporations.
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